Reviews

[Editor’s Note: Two of our reviewers sent in reviews for this album. I decided to run them both.] Review #1 byMichael K. Brantley Readers of a certain age might remember an episode or two of The Beverly Hillbillies when the characters would pour Granny’s moonshine into the family truck, and it would take off like…

Over the past two decades, Pert Near Sandstone has established themselves as one of the most vital, yet often overlooked, bands in modern bluegrass.  Hailing from Minnesota, they are part of an Upper Midwest roots movement that includes bands like Trampled By Turtles, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, and Chicken Wire Empire. Together, these groups have…

Georgia family band Headin’ Home delivers an album of honest-to-goodness, all-natural, down-home music. Of course, with a family band, you expect the theme of home to be prominent, and that’s certainly the case here, although with a band that plays out as much as these folks do, home isn’t just a cabin on the hillside….

The term “cover song” is a fairly recent addition to our musical lexicon, not used before the 1950s. Its usage coincided with the emergence of recordings being considered the definitive or original version of the song, as opposed to the sheet music being the reference point. It wasn’t until the late 1960s that anyone had…

Andrew Collins is a true “Mando Commando,” taking charge of the music in a powerful way. The new album consists of 11 tracks that feature a wonderful interplay between the musicians, Andrew Collins on mandolin, Adam Shier on guitar, and James McEleney on bass. While some might place this recording into the Dawg Music genre,…

Colorado-based Big Richard blasted their way into the bluegrass-Americana-roots Music scene four years ago and in that time have built an enthusiastic and dedicated fan base. If you’ve seen them in person, you know why. This is not polite and pretty music; it’s deeper than that, filled with passion, sometimes angry and righteous, sometimes touching…